Indy F.
Yelp
Perth Zoo is more fun than a barrel of monkeys! Children and adults alike can happily spend a day exploring the zoo as it is always fresh and entertaining. It is home to a host of animals and plants from all over the globe as well as a section dedicated to native Australian wildlife. It is a huge 41 acre area which means the animals have large open enclosures with plenty of room to move. It was first opened to the public on 17 October 1898 and has never closed its doors from that day! Open seven days a week, 365 days a year you are always welcome!
Yesterday we took advantage of the Mother's Day special (All mums get free admission on Mother's Day) to visit this happy place. The grounds are lovely and lush and we enjoyed our leisurely stroll through the grounds. There are free talks, walks and animal feeds to watch out for, so get a zoo map and check out the times. We were lucky enough to see Tricia, the sweet tempered, ageing female elephant take her daily constitutional walk. It was interesting to listen to the zookeeper's talk on Tasmanian Devils and watch these cheeky little devils being fed a hunk of kangaroo meat! We were saddened to hear that these magnificent little creatures' existence is being threatened by a facial tumour disease, which is a particularly malignant cancer. Happy to hear that research is being done to help these amazing animals and also that the Tasmanian Devils themselves are evolving genetically to fight the disease. We also enjoyed watching a Fairy Penguin doing energetic laps in the pool and a koala scampering up and down the trees, stopping occasionally to munch on a leaf. Never seen a koala look so happy or so active! The Sun Bear was a big hit, as he was up on his hind legs eagerly trying to get at his treat and was a pleasure to watch.
The zoo is heavily involved in conservation and takes part in several breeding programmes which ensure the survival of species threatened with extinction. Perth Zoo also does much to propagate plant species and much of the animal fodder is grown on the premises.
I suggest you take a picnic, as there are green grassy areas and shady benches whereupon you can sit and enjoy your food in pleasant surroundings. Or you may choose to avail of the cafe option, both cold and hot food and drink is available. There is also a great gift shop, where you can browse and buy souvenirs and mementos to your heart's content. My gorgeous daughter bought me a wonderful, colourful Perth Zoo lanyard and the cutest little three toed sloth you ever did see!
The zoo is located on Labouchere Road in South Perth and easy accessible by public transport. There are buses which stop at the zoo or you may choose the nicer option of catching a ferry from Elizabeth Quay to South Perth. We caught the ferry and were so glad we did, as we saw a flotilla of pelicans and a pod of dolphins frolicking in the water! Once you get off at Mends St Jetty, the zoo is just a stone's throw away.
There are always special events on so check the zoo website, in addition they host children's parties which could be a novel idea for your little ones. There is a winning membership program which I would thoroughly recommend, a family membership is just $84 for 12 months and you can visit the zoo as many times as you like, 365 days if you so desire! Cheaper than a gym membership and twice as fun!